Jacking the A30/A35

R H Johnston

The original side jack system is prone to corrosion, and will fail long before the sills themselves are thin enough to need repairing. The following Dos and Donts of jacking could save you money or your life. (Though remember that this advice, like all other technical advice provided by the Club and its officials, is given "without prejudice", that is, on the understanding that no legal liability for any loss, injury or death arising from following that advice can be accepted.)

Types of Jack
The best sort of jack is a trolley jack: that is why they use them in garages. Scissor jacks are unreliable. Always support the vehicle on ramps, axle stands or wood (piles of bricks are unsuitable as they can break very suddenly).

Where to Jack
Austin state that only the original side jacking points should be used. Corrosion problems makes these points unreliable. Experience shows the following to be a complete list of the reliable jacking points.

Front:
Jack:
On the vertical member at the side of the engine, at the point where the lower wishbone is attached, not too close to where the vertical member slopes up towards the radiator as it could slip up the slope.

Axle stands:
Can be placed in the same area, or (provided the car is structurally sound) under the place where the bumper irons are bolted on.

Rear:
Jack:

1. Under the banjo of the differential housing on the rear axle (Trolley jacks only)
2. Under the plate through which are the U bolts which hold the spring to the rear axle (not suitable for some sorts of jack).
3. Under the place where the rear bumper irons are bolted to the body. This is close to the rear spring hanger (use only if the car is structurally sound).

Axle stands:
Can be placed under the rear axle beam at each side near the springs, or (if vehicle is sound) where the bumper irons bolt to the rear spring hanger.

Examples of Unsuitable Jacking Points

1. The original jacking point, unless the area is recently rebuilt to the original specification or better.
2. The petrol tank - it happens!
3. The front rear spring hangers (unless directly below the spring mounting point - further forward buckles the floor)
4. The floor of the car, including the four supports provided for transporting the body along the assembly line (They are at the rear of the floor each side of the propellor shaft, and in the front outer corners)
5. The vertical members each side of the engine other than where the wishbone is attached. If placed rearward of the wishbone there is a risk of distortion, forward of the wisbone the slope of the member will cause the jack to slip.
6. The front or rear valences or bumpers.

All material on this site is copyright, with all rights reserved
(c) R H Johnston, 1998.  Material may not be published for profit without permission.

Whilst great care is taken to ensure that the technical information and advice offered is of the highest standard, neither the author, nor The Austin A30/A35 Owners Club, or the Officers of the Austin A30/A35 Club accept any liability at law for any death, injury or loss whatsoever arising from the use of advice contained in this article.